Saturday, June 21, 2014

Button Stepping Stones DIY

It's officially summer and if you're anything like me, you've been working in the yard trying to make it look amazing.  As many of you know, I have a craft house that is about 100 feet from my main house and my grass was getting a little worn from the back and forth.  I finally hauled a bag of rapid set cement to my back yard and made these super cute button stepping stones. This project was really fun, especially the painting part.  Try different sized lids or bowls for different sized buttons.  
Most importantly, have fun!
A little section of my garden path 

See the video tutorial
 You'll need
Americana Decor Ultra Matte Varnish
Rapid Set Cement (Home Depot)
Non-stick cooking spray
Large lids in different sizes (I like plastic)
4 matching small plastic caps
Paintbrush
Craft knife
Pick your lid (or flat bottom bowl) for your button mold
With a craft knife, score the inside of the small lids and the area where they will be glued on the lid
Scoring (scratching) your surface will help the glue stick better
Fill the caps to the rim with hot glue and glue them in place on the lid
After the glue has dried, spray the mold with non-stick cooking spray
Mix enough rapid-set cement to fill your mold.  Follow the instructions on the box
Fill the mold and allow to cure.
Rapid set cement sets in about 20 minutes!
Remove your cement button
Paint with Americana Decor Chalky Finish in a color you like
Add dimension with Crème Wax
Varnish the stone with Americana Decor Ultra Matte Varnish
Create your garden path

10 comments:

  1. Love this!!! This will be a fun project for my grandsons. Thanks!

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  2. Ahhh ! these are so cute just love them,smart guy fiqure this out. I love button's any way & this is a new way. Thank's so much.Looking foward to more bright & smart idea's Ta,, Ta,,.....

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  3. So smart with the caps!! We can make lego blocks with the same technique too ;)

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  4. Too cute! I am a button-nut & am always on the hunt for ways to make big buttons. I'm not familiar enough with plastics, etc, to know if there is anything that could be used with this type of mold for wall decor? Love the stepping stones tho. Adorable.

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    Replies
    1. Patty, check out my DIY for using Frisbees for big buttons. Great for wall decor!

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  5. Thank you for such an awesome idea...I just love buttons, and have probably a thousand in my stash...but this is a cool way to bring some to my outdoor garden...thanks for this cool idea!

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  6. This is so cool. I am a dressmaker with a home based business. These are going to be so perfect in my yard! I can't wait to get started.

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    Replies
    1. I tried this but my caps stuck in my cement,any ideas why?

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    2. Did you spray them with the cooking oil? If not, you should be able to get them out with some pliers. Melt them a little with a lighter and you should be able to pull them out. It can happen but it's not the end of the world.

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